Krzys
Well-known
I see these on ebay from sellers in China and Hong Kong. Has anyone had any bad experiences with these cheap adapters?
Bill58
Native Texan
They are made of aluminum and you will experience galling ("freezing" of dissimilar metals) if you over-tighten. A lubricant like a powdered graphite (or pencil lead) will lesson the problem. Best bet is to use brass rings (and filters) made by B&W or Heliopan.
FPjohn
Well-known
http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm
The ultra-cheap adapters get mixed reviews. LTM adapters from Cameraquest are generally cheaper than used Leitz ones.
yours
FPJ
The ultra-cheap adapters get mixed reviews. LTM adapters from Cameraquest are generally cheaper than used Leitz ones.
yours
FPJ
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
I have one made by Fotodiox in IL... and thus support the state economy. Got it for $15 on eBay.
LeicaFoReVer
Addicted to Rangefinders
I have been using one from China and havent had any troubles...
BillP
Rangefinder General
Buy cheap, buy twice...
Regards,
Bill
Regards,
Bill
robklurfield
eclipse
I have a cheap one that came with a J-8 that I bought on eBay. The adapter was stamped "M3" and "Japan", but oddly, given the M3 marking, it turned out to be machined for a 35 lens, not a 50. There was no focal length marking, so I guess the seller didn't even realize the adapter was the wrong one. In any case, this adapter was difficult to mount to both my M2 and my M8. I guess the machining was not quite precise enough. I have other adapters tfrom CV, Millich (six-bit coded on unplated brass, very nice) and Leitz, all of which are perfect. I bought all of them used from RFF's or eBay and paid $45 or less.
If you're going to be using any of these adapters on an M8, be aware that the flanges on some/most of the older ones are not big enough to accommodate the six-bit coding. The newer CV type II's are redesigned with sufficient space for coding. I understand the M9 has eliminated the need to code lenses.
If you're going to be using any of these adapters on an M8, be aware that the flanges on some/most of the older ones are not big enough to accommodate the six-bit coding. The newer CV type II's are redesigned with sufficient space for coding. I understand the M9 has eliminated the need to code lenses.
chenzhaohy
Member
Used voigtlander adapter can be found at $20-30 in ebay. They are as good as leica made rings.
Why bother with rings that are $10 cheaper?
Why bother with rings that are $10 cheaper?
ethics_gradient
Well-known
I've been using two of them, no problems, work perfectly. Will be ordering more so I have one for each lens.
Mephiloco
Well-known
all 3 of my rings are no name made in china, and I've had 0 problems. One came with a lens, one came free from the christmas thread, and one came from hong king for $13 shipped. Some fit a little tighter than others, but they work fine. Also they're 1/3 of the price of a voigtlander and like 1/10th the cost of a leica
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
I think the lesson to take from this thread is that it's a crap shoot. If you buy a cheap knock off adapter, you might get one that works fine; but you are just as likely to get one that has a tight or loose mount to the camera, doesn't entirely call up the correct frame line set, galls, or otherwise doesn't quite work the way it should.
Most experienced M users will tell you that it's probably worth waiting to find a good deal on a Leitz or Voigtlander adapter, both of which are certainly well made and will do the job correctly and without fuss.
Most experienced M users will tell you that it's probably worth waiting to find a good deal on a Leitz or Voigtlander adapter, both of which are certainly well made and will do the job correctly and without fuss.
Dave Wilkinson
Mentor
I have had a few - without any problems, they have all been brass - never seen any alluminum -but would not use one.
Dave.
Dave.
TheHub
Well-known
I bought an "Avenon" one a while back (35 & 135.) I dunno who made it, but it has worked fine on my M3. It was around $30.
M
mad_boy
Guest
There have been many posts on this subject (just search).
The most important is the thickness of the flange that will cause focus problems when not in spec (which is very narrow) especially for wide angles...
(only when you use a 50mm there will be no issues).
An other issue might be that the lens is turns too far or not far enough i.e. it will be slightly skewed. if the thickness of the flange is OK this will not cause focusing problems, but may lead to vignetting if you use a square hood.
So if you go for cheap, at least measure them with a digital caliper.
But then, why save 10$ on a 500$ lens??
mad_boy (not mad enough to buy Chinese crap...)
The most important is the thickness of the flange that will cause focus problems when not in spec (which is very narrow) especially for wide angles...
(only when you use a 50mm there will be no issues).
An other issue might be that the lens is turns too far or not far enough i.e. it will be slightly skewed. if the thickness of the flange is OK this will not cause focusing problems, but may lead to vignetting if you use a square hood.
So if you go for cheap, at least measure them with a digital caliper.
But then, why save 10$ on a 500$ lens??
mad_boy (not mad enough to buy Chinese crap...)